[January 25, 2013]SPRINGFIELD -- Nothing brings
the image of Abraham Lincoln to mind better than his iconic
stovepipe hat. And nothing sums up Lincoln's beliefs better than a
scrap of paper he may have stored in that battered hat. "As I would
not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea
of democracy," the piece of paper says.

Now, just in time for Lincoln's birthday, both the hat and the note
on democracy are on display at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential
Library and Museum. They were added to the museum's Treasures
Gallery on Wednesday and will remain on display about six months.

The two new items will join a signed copy of the Emancipation
Proclamation, Lincoln's order freeing slaves in rebel states during
the Civil War. The proclamation turned 150 years old on Jan. 1.

The beaver-fur hat has two bare patches on its brim where
Lincoln's fingers wore it out as he continually doffed it to
passers-by.

As he traveled from courthouse to courthouse on the Illinois
prairie, Lincoln needed to stay warm and protect his legal papers.
"Solving both problems, Lincoln kept his head warm and dry under
this beaver-fur stovepipe hat, and he tucked his letters inside the
hatband. It was his 'office in his hat,' according to a fellow
attorney, and everyone on the circuit knew this amusing
characteristic of Lincoln," said James Cornelius, Lincoln curator at
the presidential library and museum.

For the first time, the note bearing Lincoln's definition of
democracy will be displayed alongside the stovepipe hat. Museum
visitors can judge for themselves whether its folds suggest the note
was once tucked into Lincoln's hatband.

The future president's full comment in that note is: "As I would
not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea
of democracy. Whatever differs from this, to the extent of the
difference, is no democracy."

Experts believe this scribbled note dates to 1858, a period when
Lincoln was searching for effective ways to explain his views on
slavery and democracy as he debated U.S. Senate rival Stephen
Douglas.

The 204th anniversary of Lincoln's birth is Feb. 12.

For more information about programs and exhibits at the Abraham
Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, visit
www.presidentlincoln.org.